Ko Yao Yai is the biggest of three islands in an archipelago in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, nestled between Phuket and Krabi in the Phang Nga Province of Thailand. The long island is a remote tourist destination consisting of sprawling white sands, lush coconut groves, and dense expanses of mangroves. Ko Yao Yai is regarded as the wild sister of the busier and more resort governed island of Ko Yao Noi.
Popular activities around Ko Yao Yai consist of exploring the beaches on motorbike, swimming, kayaking, fishing and diving. Most of the excursions are run by locals, who also offer agricultural tours and ATV off-roading. There are snorkelling opportunities as well, and many tourists enjoy hopping between the two islands.
Transportation to Koh Yao Yai is by boat from Phuket, Phang Nga or Krabi, although many resorts run private speed boat routes between them. Personal transit is the easiest way of getting around the vast land mass which is mainly composed of dirt roads running off one major paved stretch of motorway.
The main industries of fishing and farming have provided for the residents of the island throughout its entire history. Primary commerce infrastructures consist of rubber plantations, rice farms, fruit farms, coconut plantations, as well as shipbuilding harbours.